Rubella will be eliminated in next few years - Dr. Anil Jasinghe

Rubella will be eliminated from Sri Lanka in next few years. Now it is nearing elimination, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

According to Dr. Jasinghe, Thalassemia screening in the country is now going on very successfully. Every single child live in affected areas in the country to be screened. The screening harvest is low and it is a good sign. He was addressing media during a seminar held in Colombo recently.

Dr. Jasinghe pointed out that Sri Lanka is gradually getting knowledge and relevant facilities to prevent secondary prevention of birth defects of children. In the past Sri Lanka did not have the required knowledge or facilities. Sri Lanka's infant mortality rate is low.

Still the knowledge and facilities for the tertiary prevention of birth defects in children are low in Sri Lanka and this area need to be developed. Heart issues related birth defects in children are significant, he added.